 |
 |
|
|
|
||
Ag FactsMassachusettsThere are 6,100 farms in Massachusetts, which preserve 570,000 acres of open space in the form of fertile, scenic and productive farmland. Massachusetts' agricultural cash receipts totaled $384 million in 2002. Massachusetts is first in New England for direct sales of farm products to consumers. At $31 million in direct sales, Massachusetts farmers were responsible for 40 percent of New England's total. Massachusetts ranks seventh nationally in total value of direct sales, following California, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and Washington, respectively. Massachusetts ranks first nationally in value of average direct market sales per farm at $24,900 per farm. Massachusetts ranks eighth in the nation for the value of fruit production at more than $148 million. More than 80 percent of Massachusetts farms are family-owned. Over 93 percent fit the category of "small farms" according to the USDA definition of sales below $250,000. Nearly $212 million is spent by farmers statewide on farm inputs such as feed, seed, livestock, fertilizer, electricity and fuel. Massachusetts ranks third in the U.S. for farmland value at $9,234 per acre. Massachusetts farms employ nearly 5,000 year-round and more than 9,000 seasonal workers and paid $81.6 million in wages in 1997. The state's food processing industry generates about $2 billion in revenue annually and employs nearly 19,000 workers. Agricultural exports from Massachusetts in 1997 totaled $300 million and supported 3,600 jobs. Agriculture generates $21 million in income tax revenue annually in Massachusetts. The entire food industry -- including farms, food processing, grocery stores, restaurants, and agricultural suppliers -- generates $283 million in income tax revenue. Sources: "The Changing Landscape of Massachusetts Agriculture" by David
Holm, Daniel Lass and Richard Rogers; New England Agricultural Statistics,
2004; and U.S. Census of Agriculture, 2002 |
 |
|
 |
||
